The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

252 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [1759.
I remark the pains you take to show the impropriety of paying
the duty of the estate's tobacco. When money is wanting, it cannot be expected; but, when a sum lies in your hands, it should certainly be applied that way, as far as it will go. I likewise observe
the difficulties you have met with in settling for the interest of the
bank stock; but I hope that is now over, unless any part or the
whole should require transferring (when a division of the estate
is made), and then timely notice will be given; but, till this happens, it may be received and placed to the estate's credit in the
usual manner.
From this time it will be requisite, that you should raise three
accounts; one for me, another for the estate, and a third for Miss
Patty Custis; or, if you think it more eligible (and I believe it
will be), make me debtor on my own account for John Parke
Custis, and for Miss Martha Parke Custis, as each will have their
part of the estate assigned them this fall, and the whole will remain under my management, whose particular care it shall be to
distinguish always, either by letter or invoice, for whom tobaccos
are shipped, and for whose use goods are imported, in order to
prevent any mistakes arising. The estate's credit now in your
hands may be applied towards answering the whole drafts, that have
been and shall be made this year; and it must appear very plain
from my former letters, as well as from what is here said, how
necessary it is to send regular accounts current, that, by comparing
them with the books here, satisfactory settlements may, from time
to time, be made to our General Court.
The tobacco per the Fair American will make its appearance, I
apprehend, in a very irregular manner. Captain Talman first engaged it to be sent by the Cary, then by the Randolph; and,
being disappointed in both, I had to seek for a conveyance myself,
and by mere good luck got it on board Captain Thompson, but not
till I had first been at the trouble and expense of carting it across
from York to James River for his craft to take it in. The vessel
being upon the point of sailing at that time, a gentleman at Norfolk, where she lay, promised to receive the bills of lading, and
send them by'different opportunities under cover to you; but, losing
my memorandum, he wrote to me a month afterwards for fresh directions, which I suppose did not reach him till some time after
the vessel had sailed. I shall endeavour to put what tobacco I can
on board the Cary, as I understand she is to wait for the new
crop. It will be needless, I am persuaded, to bespeak your best
care in the sales of it; as you must be sensible the present high